Beverley Callard has given a downbeat update on her breast cancer fight, revealing she experienced a dramatic energy crash over the weekend that left her unable to leave the house.
The 69-year-old, famous for portraying Coronation Street barmaid Liz McDonald across three decades on the ITV soap, had been looking forward to a special evening out with husband, Jon McEwan to watch Riverdance.
She had planned to bring friends along as guests and had even arranged to meet the show's cast afterwards.
However, the former I'm A Celebrity contestant was forced to abandon the outing just hours beforehand after her energy plummeted.
She shared the update with followers via an Instagram video posted on Monday.
In the video, Ms Callard described how her Saturday morning had started promisingly, with her ironing her outfit in preparation for the evening ahead.
"Honestly, by 12 o'clock I was wiped completely, and I just thought ', I can't go'," she told followers.
"I had to let my friends down; I had to let the cast down. They'd organised everything."
The ITV star, who received her early-stage breast cancer diagnosis back in February, said the sudden downturn left her baffled.
"I just plummeted. I've got no energy, I've got aches in my ribs and in my back. I don't know what's going on," she admitted.
Despite spending all of Saturday and Sunday feeling flat and lethargic, the actress said she woke on Monday with a sudden burst of vitality.
"Today, I've had loads of energy, I've cleaned windows, I've done all sorts. God knows what's going on with me," she said.
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The unpredictable nature of her recovery has also taken a toll on her emotional well-being.
"My mental health is suffering a bit; I can't sleep. I can't switch my mind off at all," she acknowledged.
Ms Callard thanked supporters for reaching out, saying their messages had reassured her that she was not alone in experiencing such difficulties.
In the caption accompanying her post, she described it as "a bit of a somber one," adding: "It really is a journey of ups and downs and you do just have to take each day as it comes."
Fans of the star were quick to offer their messages of support.
One fan penned on Instagram: "Sending lots of love and hugs."
"Listen to your body and instincts," another said.
A third wrote: "Be kind to yourself; you are doing so well. Just keep believing you can conquer this."
A fourth fan insisted: "You're not letting anyone down by looking after yourself."
Ms Callard, who moved to Ireland with Mr McEwan around the time of her diagnosis, has been playing beautician Lily Patterson on Fair City and remains resolute about continuing to work.
During a recent interview on The Six O'Clock Show, she revealed she had completed her radiotherapy without taking a single day off from filming.
She described experiencing nausea, exhaustion and burns from the treatment, but insisted she was coping well overall.
The actress is due to see her oncologist in a fortnight to learn more about her prognosis.
When asked about suggestions that she should step back from acting, Ms Callard replied: "I need my mind to be occupied...If I've got lines to learn, it really helps."
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